Join the WSU community at convocation 2009

 

PULLMAN – WSU faculty, staff and students are invited to attend the annual convocation ceremony, 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum. Following the convocation will be the 25th Annual All-Campus Picnic, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Mooberry Track Field.

 

Convocation is the official welcome of all new faculty, freshman and transfer students, marking the beginning of their new collegiate journey, and entrance into the WSU community of scholars. The term also refers to a ceremonial assembly of the members of a college or university.

 

All new and returning faculty members are invited to participate in the convocation. Regalia will be worn by those seated on the platform stage. Although optional, faculty members are encouraged to wear regalia.

 

If you would like to wear regalia but do not own any, a set might be available through your department.

 

The convocation will begin with an academic procession in which faculty members and staff gather at 9:30 a.m. in the lower corridor of the coliseum and then march onto the coliseum floor. Participants can use the Cougar Lounge to change into their regalia and also to leave personal belongings in during the ceremony.

 

The University Mace will lead the faculty/staff processional. The mace, a traditional symbol of authority, was created for the inauguration of Samuel H. Smith as the eighthpresident of WSU in 1986. The mace is traditionally carried by the chair of the Faculty Senate during WSU’s annual procession of faculty members and graduating students at the commencement exercise and convocation. The two-foot long, nine-pound scepter, designed by Tim Doebler of WSU’s Fine Arts Department, is cast in silver and bronze and features a globe atop a laurel branch. It is wrapped in a silver ribbon and has the inscription, “Washington State University.”

 

Deans of the colleges will make their way to the main stage and faculty and staff can walk to a section of seating reserved for those who participated in the procession. As a result, if you would like to participate in the procession, it is important that you RSVP in advance, which can be done online by clicking here.

During the ceremony new students will receive pins, new faculty will be recognized, and newly tenured and promoted faculty members honored.

Speakers at the convocation will include Elson S. Floyd, WSU president; Warwick M. Bayly, provost and executive vice president; and Lucila Loera Herrera, dean of students.

Campus Picnic